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Graduate Student Association (GSA) News

Join us for the following GSA Events this Fall semester:

  • Leveraging AI for Your Success Now and Your Career - November 11 from noon to 2:00 pm in The Grad Lounge, Holland Yates Hall - Speaker: Heather Harris, Founder of Herkimer Consulting, Data Scientist, Psychometrician. Lunch will be provided. Register Now

  • Movie Night: November 16, at Grafton-Stovall Movie Theater, time TBD.

  • General Board Meeting - December 2nd at 12pm in the Grad Lounge, Holland Yates Hall (room #400)

More details for above events are forthcomingConsider joining our GroupMe, as we consult regularly with students in the group regarding activities. 

Take the lead and join the GSA Executive Team! The executive board is made up of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Social Chair, and Program Representative Liaison. See a description of each role. Please reach out to gsa@dukes.edu for questions.

Lending Library - Items that Grads can borrow. Submit your ideas for the Lending Library

Grad Handbook - The GSA has developed a Guidebook for graduate students. This guidebook covers, getting started at JMU, transportation & parking, food, and places and spaces to become familiar with. It is a very helpful guide to campus and the community. 

Checkout the GSA webpage.

Compete in JMU's Annual Three Minute Thesis Competition

JMU’s Seventh Annual Three Minute Thesis competition will be held Friday, January 24, 2025, beginning at 6 pm. If you are a student who will soon be completing a thesis, dissertation, or culminating research project and would like to have a great resume booster, consider competing in the Three Minute Thesis competition.

What’s in it for you?

  1. $750 for the first place winner and a sponsored trip to the regional event
  2. $500 for second place winner and $250 for third place winner
  3. The chance to share your research in a fun & lively format
  4. The professional skills to make a high-impact presentation

If you are considering or plan to participate, we encourage you to attend a preparation workshop on either November 11 from 3:30-5:00 pm, or December 5 from 5:30 -7:00 pm in Holland Yates Hall Room 4010. Find out how the competition works, what is expected, how you will benefit, and how to prepare. REGISTER NOW for one.

Professional Development

Overcoming Unconscious Bias We are thrilled to welcome you to the upcoming Beginner Education Session with the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This session will take place on Thursday, November 14, from 3-4:00 pm in Holland Yates Hall, room 4000, and will be facilitated by Malika Carter-Hoyt and Art Dean from the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This is a unique opportunity to engage with our DEI leaders and your fellow learners as we explore key concepts and practices that foster inclusivity. We look forward to your participation and encourage you to come prepared to share your insights, ask questions, and contribute to our collective growth. Register by November 11. 

Weekly Graduate Writing Accountability Group - Every Friday from 9am-12pm in Holland Yates Hall Room 4010 or via Zoom. Whether you are working on a thesis, dissertation, grant proposal, course paper, portfolio, or even just keeping up with emails, graduate school involves a lot of writing! The University Writing Center and the Graduate School are offering a new opportunity to support your writing through a Weekly Graduate Writing Group. This will be a dedicated space and time each week where you can meet up with other graduate students and get some of your writing done in community with others. Dr. Emily Bouza from the UWC will facilitate this group, including goal setting activities to help you utilize your time well (within and beyond the group), to complete the many daunting projects of graduate school. All graduate students are welcome! Register to attend. Link for joining via Zoom can be found in email to graduate students. 

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If you wrangle research data, we know someone who could be a priceless resource throughout your graduate career. Meet Samantha Harmon (M'22) who joined the JMU Libraries team in April 2024. She is available to meet iwth you for a one-on-one data management consultation. She can also speak to JMU courses about data management and data literacy. If you would like to schedule an appointment, feel free to reach out. You can also read our Q&A with Samantha Harmon in this story from our Feature Friday series: Meet Your New Data Services Librarian.

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Take a Researcher to Lunch! Choosing a research program and selecting a research adviser can be a daunting task. There are so many options! An easy way to learn more about this process is to sign up for the Take a Researcher to Lunch program. Applications are open until June 15, 2025 or until the vouchers have been used up. Vouchers must be used by June 30, 2025. This program is open to JMU graduate students only. More Information and Application Form

Events and Activities

Open Coffee with Mike Norwood - Join us to hear from JMU Alumnus Mike Norwood (’89)! Mike is the founder of Wears Woody, a premium lifestyle brand with a purpose, which showcases his resilience and commitment to giving back. Mike will share his insights on: career transitioning, brand building, changing the fashion game and patience & perseverence. Friday, November 8, 10-11:00 am in Hartman Hall, room 1040. Free coffee and donuts! Register Now

Understanding Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Join this workshop to explore the complex and ever-changing world of artificial intelligence (AI). Gain a thorough understanding of AI, starting from its roots and tracing its current influence across multiple industries. Learn about the different types of AI, focusing on generative AI (gAI), and explore how machine learning (ML) powers AI. In this session, we will cover ethical considerations, showcase various AI tools like ChatGPT and Dall-E, and explore AI's impact, including its practical integration into tools used at JMU, such as Copilot and Gradescope. This will give you a hands-on understanding of how AI is being used in real-world scenarios including here at JMU. Attend in person at Rose Library, room 3311 or on Zoom. (Please have laptop when attending) Wednesdsay, November 13, 2-3:00 pm. Registration and Information 

Applying Artificial Intelligence - Hands-On Workshop - Gain practical experience with generative artificial intelligence (gAI) tools, including ChatGPT and Copilot. Join our interactive session designed to explore the real-life applications of AI in writing tasks and multimedia content creation. Discover how these tools can streamline your workflows and boost productivity. We’ll guide you through integrating AI tools into your everyday tasks, while addressing critical considerations like AI-related policies and long-term impacts. We will also provide valuable resources for further exploration into AI applications, equipping you with the expertise needed to utilize these tools effectively in your professional endeavors. Attend in person at Rose Library, room 3311 or on Zoom. (Please have laptop when attending) Thursday, November 14, 1-2:00 pm. Registration and Information 

Discussing Artificial Intelligence and Its Influence - All JMU students, faculty, and staff are invited to this discussion on the benefits, challenges, possible uses, and ethical considerations of artificial intelligence (AI). Your active participation is key to the success of this event. Enjoy snacks while we explore the potential future impacts of AI on our personal and professional lives. Attend in person at Rose Library, room 3311 or on Zoom. (Please have laptop when attending) Thursday, November 14, 2-3:00 pmRegistration and Information 

See the new Graduate Student event calendar page!

Funding, Scholarships and Fellowships

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Are you interested in finding external grant funding for your research? A good place to start is the SPIN database, which has over 40,000 grant opportunities.  It is provided free of charge to all members of the JMU community by REDI. By signing up for an account, you can also save your searches, set filters, and set up automatic email notification. Access the SPIN database, set up an account, and see a tips and tricks video.

The Office of Research Development provides a variety of services for JMU researchers applying for external grants, including developing checklists and timelines to keep grant applications on track. You can request personalized service through our service form

Wherever you are in your external funding journey, you are welcome to join us at the Madison Research Club, which meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 11:30 am-1:00 pm. Please register to attend

Looking for a Graduate Assistantship or a Campus Job? Depending on your full-or part-time status and program of study, graduate students may be eligible to apply for graduate assistantships, student positions, and staff/wage positions. Search JMU Jobs

The College of Education (COE) will have graduate assistantship openings for Spring 2025. If you are interested in one of these positions, please contact Jessica Spiller at spillejhh@jmu.edu for more information and how to apply. 

Global Opportunity Grant This grant provides support for students to participate in a graduate level study abroad experience. Visit https://www.jmu.edu/grad/current-students/awards-grants/index.shtml to review the eligibility, criteria, and how to apply. Deadline is Nov. 1, 2024.

GSA Professional Development Grants These grants provide funds towards professional development that is not covered by travel grants or departments. Visit: GSA Professional Development Grant for more information. Deadline is Nov. 17, 2024.

Scholarships can be found on The Graduate School website.

Enrich Your Life

JMU Libraries is offering two workshops about artificial intelligence that can help you build on your knowledge and writings:

No parking permit? No problem! If you need to pick up or drop off library items without a parking permit, you can use the 15-minute parking spots at JMU Libraries Express!

Do you know that as a student, you can borrow a laptop from JMU Libraries temporarily if needed, while you are getting a computer repaired or replaced? Laptops are available for checkout in Rose Library.

Read Magazines for Free with Flipster! Explore 65 magazines online with Flipster—no subscriptions, physical copies, or recycling needed! Read entire magazines cover to cover, including images, ads, comics, and even crosswords. You can flip through, search for something specific, or even share content with others!

JMU X-Labs Open Lab! The Lab is an innovative space that ignites creativity. JMU students, faculty and staff are all empowered to bring their ideas to life in this design-thinking studio. Our collaborative atmosphere also allows for consulting and prototyping assistance, making it the perfect breeding ground for entrepreneurial endeavors. We’re ready to give you the support you need to make your ideas a reality. Unleash your potential at The Lab!

Keep abreast of Research Development Opportunities by subscribing to the JMU Research Development notice board. a href="https://www.canva.com/design/DAF1q1RtASk/ZhZkA2HvEgjswVVd06K-6g/watch?utm_content=DAF1q1RtASk&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor"See a full description of the events. 

Places to study while Carrier Library is closed. While Carrier Library is closed for renovation and expansion, you still have four library locations to use, and dozens of buildings with study space all over campus! Check out this list of the top 15 places to study or work in JMU Libraries. There’s also a new JMU study spaces map that includes a wide range of buildings! Just select a pin to start reading about study spaces in each building.

Free access to New York Times and more. Did you know you have access to the New York Times and Wall Street Journal for free through JMU Libraries subscriptions? See our full list of news-related databases or learn more about Libraries services for grad students.

Join the Graduate Student Association (GSA). All JMU graduate students are considered members of the GSA. The GSA promotes interdisciplinary unity among JMU graduate students through social events, career-building workshops and professional
development grants. For questions email gsa@jmu.edu.

University Career Liaison. The University Career Center's Graduate School liaison Alyssa Hawley is a great resource to assist you with resume review and career preparation. Check out University Career Services for Graduate Students or contact Alyssa for more information.

Campus and Community Student Resources. Campus and community resources available to
support students’ basic needs can be found at the Student Support Hub, a website that will connect you
to food, financial assistance, housing and other resources. These resources will help you thrive at JMU.

Read the Chronical of Higher Education for Free! Looking for a source for higher education news, trends and job openings? You can read The Chronicle of Higher Education for free through JMU Libraries subscriptions! 

Military-Connected Students. JMU VALOR provides all military-connected students with
resources for success. More information

Need Food or Hygiene Items? Check out The Pantry in Taylor Down Under (The Union), room 112.
Shop in-person or place orders through The Pantry app, available in the Apple and Android stores. Use
the app to select the curbside pickup option or rapid pickup in The Pantry. The Pantry is open Mon 12-6
pm and Tues-Thurs 12-5 pm. Available to all students, no questions asked!

Mental Health Resources. The JMU Counseling Center is available to all students and they have
made available TimelyCare, 24/7 access to mental health professionals. More Information

Tips from The Graduate School

Study Space for Graduate Students Only. The Graduate Professional Development Center (AKA: Grad Lounge) is a dedicated study space for graduate students, located on the fourth floor of Holland Yates Hall. It is open 8 am - 5 pm. Need more time to study free of interruption? You can fill out an After-Hours form and submit it to The Graduate School for after-hours access. After-Hours Form (PDF).

Dates and Deadlines. Keep up with important dates and deadlines by bookmarking the Academic Calendar.

The Student Handbook. The Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices (OSARP) has published an updated version of the 2023-2024 JMU Student Accountability Process and Standards of Conduct Handbook. The updates made were revisions to procedures to enhance clarity and update procedure regarding rationales in the Title IX Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct processes. It is the responsibility of every student to know and follow the policies outlined in the JMU Student Handbook along with federal, state, and local laws. Student Handbook

Graduate Policies. You are responsible to read and follow the graduate policies set forth in the
Graduate Catalog. Important information regarding degree progress, including rules for successful
progression and continuous enrollment are also on the Graduate School website.

Approval of a Thesis or Dissertation Committee. Students who are completing these sorts
of projects must submit a signed approval form to The Graduate School by the second week of the
semester in which the student first registers for thesis or dissertation credits. Approval form

Monitor Your Dukes Email Account! Official information is sent to each student’s official
Dukes e-mail account. Check your @dukes.jmu.edu e-mail account on a regular basis.

Monitor MyMadison! The Student Center in MyMadison is where you will find advising
information, register for classes, and where you can view “To Do Items” that will keep you on track
towards graduation. Use the Student Center to update your mailing address and cell phone number. It is
your responsibility to maintain accurate contact information. Check your account regularly. Don’t miss
important information!


Questions?

Please contact the appropriate staff member with your question.

Have Suggestions?

We welcome suggestions for this newsletter, including events and opportunities. Please send your
submission to grad@jmu.edu

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